Ergonomic beverage serving tray

ABSTRACT

A tray for serving beverages includes a first beverage support section, a second beverage support section, an arm rest, a base, and a handle member extending from the base between the first and second beverage support sections. The handle member includes a first handle and a second handle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/945,367 filed Sep. 20, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to trays, and, more particularly, to trays for carrying beverages in containers such as glasses, cups, bottles, or cans.

In a crowded room it can be difficult for a server to navigate through the crowd or open a door while holding a plurality of beverages in both hands. Servers often hold and balance the beverages in one hand to leave the other free to avoid the obstacles encountered during transporting the beverages. Unfortunately, this can lead to accidents such as spills, clothing damage, slippery floors, and revenue loss.

Another area of difficulty for a server carrying beverages is in recording a customer's order. The server must either go to a server station to set down the drinks and return with a pad and a pencil, or set the tray down on a nearby table. Making multiple trips would waste the server and the customer's time, and setting the tray down on another customer's table would be unacceptable. Ideally, the server could take the customer's order while safely and securely carrying the beverages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a tray for serving beverages is provided that includes a first beverage support section, a second beverage support section, an arm rest, a base, and a handle member extending from the base between the first and second beverage support sections. The handle member includes a first handle and a second handle.

In another aspect, a method for assembling a tray for serving beverages is provided. The method includes forming a base, a first handle, a second handle, an arm rest, and at least one beverage support section in a one piece construction.

In yet another aspect, a method of assembling a tray for serving beverages is provided. The method includes connecting a first beverage support section and a second beverage support section to an arm rest, connecting a base to the arm rest and the first and second beverage support sections, and connecting a handle member to the base, wherein connecting a base further includes extending the handle member from the base between the first and second beverage support sections. The handle member includes a first handle and a second handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a tray for serving beverages.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tray shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the tray shown in FIG. 1 including accessories.

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of a tray for serving beverages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of a tray 10 for serving beverages. Tray 10 includes a first beverage support section 20, a second beverage support section 22, a contoured arm rest member 30, at least one branch member 32, a base 40, and a handle 42. In one embodiment, tray 10 is formed as a unitary tray and is either vacuum formed or injection molded. In another embodiment, tray 10 is configured to be at least one of stackable and nestable to facilitate ease of storage.

Beverage support sections 20 and 22 are substantially rectangular shaped. In a further embodiment, beverage support sections 20 and 22 are substantially semi-circle shaped. Beverage support sections 20 and 22 each include a plurality of subsections 50 configured to securely hold a beverage container, such as a glass, cup or can. In one embodiment, subsections 50 have a substantially square cross section, although alternative embodiments have differently shaped cross sections, and each subsection 50 includes a bottom (not shown). In a further embodiment, one or more of subsections 50 do not include a bottom.

First beverage support section 20 and second beverage support section 22 extend from contoured arm rest 30. Branch member 32 extends from and substantially spans the distance between first beverage support section 20 and second beverage support section 22. In one embodiment, branch member 32 is a contoured arm rest member. In another embodiment, tray 10 includes a plurality of branch members 32 extending and substantially spanning the distance between first beverage support section 20 and second beverage support section 22.

Base 40 extends from contoured arm rest member 30 and branch member 32 and forms a shelf or table on top of contoured arm rest member 30 and branch member 32. Handle 42 is substantially solid and extends from base 40 integral to a vacuum formed or injection molded tray 10. In an alternative embodiment, handle 42 is attached by a screw to the underside of base 40. In a further embodiment, handle 42 is attached to base 40 by one of an adhesive, a nut and bolt, and a friction fit.

In one embodiment, subsections 50 are substantially cylindrically shaped and do not include a bottom. In another embodiment, subsections 50 are tapered to allow a portion of a beverage container to be suspended by and extended partially through subsection 50. The beverage container is supported by the container in the tapered portion or by a lip or catch point of the container. In an alternative embodiment, subsections 50 are baskets or nets suspended or extending from beverage support sections 20 and 22. In another alternative embodiment, beverage support sections 20 and 22 include subsections 50 of different sizes, to hold different sized glasses, and/or different types, such as baskets, nets, and beverage holders. In yet another alternative embodiment, subsections 50 are modularly interchangeable.

In a further embodiment, contoured arm rest 30 includes a pad or covering attached to the arm contoured section of contoured arm rest 30 for a more comfortable feel while tray 10 is in use. In another alternative embodiment, contoured arm rest 30 includes a strap attached to tray 10 to assist in holding contoured arm rest 30 to a user's arm.

A plurality of tray support legs 70 extend from first and second beverage support sections 20 and 22. In one embodiment, two support legs 70 (one visible in FIG. 1) and handle 42, utilized as a third leg, together form a tripod configured to facilitate supporting tray 10 on a surface such as a table or bar. In another embodiment, tray 10 includes four support legs 70 and handle 42 is sized shorter than support legs 70. Legs 70 are integral to a vacuum formed or injection molded tray 10. In another embodiment, handle 42 is pivotally attached to base 40 and is able to lock in a first position which is substantially parallel to legs 70, while tray 10 is in use. In addition, handle 42 is able to lock in a second position which is substantially perpendicular to legs 70, for storing tray 10. In one embodiment, handle 42 has a substantially pistol grip style. In another embodiment, handle 42 is substantially cone shaped or tapered and has a truncated bottom that is substantially flat.

FIG. 3 is an embodiment of tray 10 shown in FIG. 1 including accessories such as a clamp or clip 72 attached to base 40. Clip 72 is positioned on base 40 to hold items such as a pad for taking orders, a bill, a check, a credit card, cash, or a receipt. In one embodiment, a knob 74 is attached to base 40. Knob 74 adds another element of stabilization to tray 10 while transporting beverages. In a further embodiment, an illumination device 80 for lighting tray 10 is attached to tray 10. Illumination device 80 is controlled, such as turning on and turning off, by an actuator 82 attached to tray 10 at handle 42. In one embodiment, at least one slot or holder 84 is attached to tray 10 to display an advertisement, such as a menu special, a happy hour schedule, or a company logo. In another embodiment, slot 84 is integral to a vacuum formed or injection molded tray 10.

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of a tray 100 for serving beverages. Tray 100 includes similar components to tray 10 described above. Like reference numerals are numbered the same as those described and shown with respect to FIGS. 1-3. Tray 100 includes a first beverage support section 120, a second beverage support section 122, a contoured arm rest 130, a base 140 connected to contoured arm rest 130 and first and second beverage support sections 120 and 122, and a handle member 142.

In one embodiment, handle member 142 includes a first handle 144 and a second handle 146 integral to a vacuum formed or injection molded tray 100 (not shown in FIG. 4) with first handle 144 and a second handle 146 formed maintaining a selected distance between them. The selected distance facilitates providing space for two sets of fingers gripping handles 144 and 146. In one embodiment, the distance between first handle 144 and second handle 146 is 1.5 inches. In one embodiment, handle member 142 includes a handle connector 148 connecting first handle 144 to second handle 146 and maintaining a selected distance between first handle 144 and second handle 146. In one embodiment, handle connector 148 is attached to first handle 144 and second handle 146 by one of an adhesive, a screw, and a friction fit. Additionally, handle connector 148 is substantially perpendicular to handles 144 and 146. First handle 144, second handle 146 and handle connector 148 of handle member 142 are substantially solid. In an alternative embodiment, handle member 142 is formed as a unitary handle member including at least two adjacent handles. In one embodiment, handle connecter 148 does not contact base 140. In an alternative embodiment, handle connector 148 extends from base 140.

In another embodiment, first handle 144 and second handle 146 are substantially cone shaped or tapered and have a truncated bottom that is substantially flat. First handle 144 and second handle 146 formed in this manner facilitates at least one of stacking and nesting tray 100 for ease of storage while facilitating minimizing needed storage space. In one embodiment, first handle 144 is a supporting handle and second handle 146 is a passing handle. In another embodiment, passing handle 146 is substantially shorter than the supporting handle 144 since passing handle 146 is only gripped temporarily during passing tray 100.

First handle 144, second handle 146 and handle connector 148 of handle member 142 are substantially solid. In an alternative embodiment, handle member 142 is formed as a unitary handle member including at least two adjacent handles. In one embodiment, handle connecter 148 does not contact base 140. In an alternative embodiment, handle connector 148 extends from base 140.

In one embodiment, handle member 142 extends from base 140 integral to a vacuum formed or injection molded tray 100. In an alternative embodiment, handle member 142 extends from base 140 attached by at least one screw to an underside 150 of base 140. In a further embodiment, handle member 142 is attached to base 140 by one of an adhesive, at least one nut and bolt, and a friction fit.

A particular use for handle member 142 is to allow a first person holding tray 100 by first handle 144 to pass tray 100 to a second person, who holds tray 100 by second handle 146. First handle 144 and second handle 146 of handle member 142 are positioned to allow access to handle member 142 from either end of tray 100. In the exemplary embodiment, first handle 144 and second handle 146 are positioned in-line with a centerline 152 between a first beverage support section 120 and second beverage support section 122. In one embodiment, first handle 144 and second handle 146 are positioned side-by-side and substantially perpendicular to centerline 152.

In the exemplary embodiment, first handle 144 and second handle 146 are positioned substantially in the center of tray 100. In one embodiment, first handle 144 and second handle 146 are positioned offset from the center of tray 100. The selected distance between supporting handle 144 and armrest 130 facilitates comfortably positioning armrest 130 on a user's forearm while gripping supporting handle 144. In the exemplary embodiment, a six-beverage holding tray 100 has handles 144 and 146 positioned offset from the center of tray 100 away from armrest 130 to allow for the selected distance. In one embodiment, tray 100 is an eight-beverage tray and has handles 144 and 146 positioned substantially in the center of tray 100 while also allowing for the selected distance.

Tray 100 facilitates safely and securely supporting a plurality of beverages transported in a crowded room with one arm, leaving the other arm free to record orders, write bills, or open a door. Tray 100 also facilitates safely and easily passing tray 100 between persons without having to release tray 100 or setting tray 100 on a surface. This allows for a quicker transfer of tray 100 between persons, the ability to pass tray 100 in an open area, such as a dance floor, without a surface to set down tray 100, and less opportunity for accidents resulting in injury or loss of product and/or revenue. Tray 100 formed stackable and/or nestable facilitates storing tray 100 securely while minimizing the amount of space needed for storage.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

1. A tray for serving beverages comprising: a first beverage support section; a second beverage support section; an arm rest; a base; and a handle member extending from said base between said first and second beverage support sections, said handle member comprising a first handle and a second handle.
 2. A tray according to claim 1 wherein said arm rest is contoured.
 3. A tray according to claim 1 wherein said first beverage support section, said second beverage support section, said arm rest, said base, said first handle and said second handle are unitary.
 4. A tray according to claim 1 wherein said first beverage support section, said second beverage support section, said arm rest, said base, said first handle and said second handle are attached using at least one of an adhesive, a screw, a nut and bolt, and a friction fit.
 5. A tray according to claim 1 wherein said tray is at least one of stackable and nestable.
 6. A tray according to claim 1 comprising at least one of a slot and holder for displaying an advertisement.
 7. A tray according to claim 1 comprising a handle connector connecting said first handle to said second handle and maintaining said handles a predetermined distance apart.
 8. A tray according to claim 7 wherein said first handle, said second handle and said handle connector are formed as a unitary handle member.
 9. A tray according to claim 7 wherein said first handle, said second handle and said handle connector are attached using at least one of an adhesive, a screw, and a friction fit.
 10. A method for assembling a tray for serving beverages, said method comprising: forming a base, a first handle, a second handle, an arm rest, and at least one beverage support section in a one piece construction.
 11. A method according to claim 10 wherein forming an arm rest comprises forming a contoured arm rest.
 12. A method according to claim 10 comprising forming at least one of a slot and a holder on the tray for displaying an advertisement.
 13. A method according to claim 10 wherein forming the one piece construction comprises forming a one piece construction that is at least one of stackable and nestable.
 14. A method according to claim 10 further comprising forming a handle connector connecting the first handle to the second handle, and maintaining the handles a predetermined distance apart.
 15. A method of assembling a tray for serving beverages, said method comprising: connecting a first beverage support section and a second beverage support section to an arm rest; connecting a base to the arm rest and the first and second beverage support sections; and connecting a handle member to the base, wherein said connecting to the base further comprises extending the handle member from the base between the first and second beverage support sections, wherein the handle member includes a first handle and a second handle.
 16. A method according to claim 15 wherein connecting to an arm rest comprises connecting to a contoured arm rest.
 17. A method according to claim 15 comprising assembling the tray to be at least one of stackable and nestable.
 18. A method according to claim 15 comprising connecting at least one of a slot and a holder to the tray for displaying an advertisement.
 19. A method according to claim 15 wherein the handle member further includes a handle connector connecting the first handle to the second handle and maintaining the handles a predetermined distance apart.
 20. A method according to claim 19 comprising forming the first handle, the second handle and the handle connector as a unitary handle member. 